title: Ecotoxicological mechanisms and models in an impact analysis tool for oil spills.
abstract: In an international collaborative effort, an impact analysis tool is being developed to predict the effect of accidental oil spills on recruitment and production of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) in the Barents Sea. The tool consisted of three coupled ecological models that describe (1) plankton biomass dynamics, (2) cod larvae growth, and (3) fish stock dynamics. The discussions from a series of workshops are presented in which variables and parameters of the first two ecological models were listed that may be affected by oil-related compounds. In addition, ecotoxicological algorithms are suggested that may be used to quantify such effects and what the challenges and opportunities are for algorithm parameterization. Based on model exercises described in the literature, survival and individual growth of cod larvae, survival and reproduction of zooplankton, and phytoplankton population growth are denoted as variables and parameters from the ecological models that might be affected in case of an oil spill. Because toxicity databases mostly (67%) contain data for freshwater species in temperate environments, parameterization of the ecotoxicological algorithms describing effects on these endpoints in the subarctic marine environment is not straightforward. Therefore, it is proposed that metadata analyses be used to estimate the sensitivity of subarctic marine species from available databases. To perform such analyses and reduce associated uncertainty and variability, mechanistic models of varying complexity, possibly aided by new experimental data, are proposed. Lastly, examples are given of how seasonality in ecosystems may influence chemical effects, in particular in the subarctic environment. Food availability and length of day were identified as important characteristics as these determine nutritional status and phototoxicity, respectively.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology and Aquatic Ecology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium. frederik.delaender@ugent.be
authors.forename: Frederik
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: De Laender
authors.forename: Gro Harlaug
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Olsen
authors.forename: Tone
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Frost
authors.forename: Bjørn Einar
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Grøsvik
authors.forename: Merete
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Grung
authors.forename: Bjørn Henrik
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Hansen
authors.forename: A Jan
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Hendriks
authors.forename: Morten
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hjorth
authors.forename: Colin R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Janssen
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Klok
authors.forename: Trond
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nordtug
authors.forename: Mathijs
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Smit
authors.forename: Jolynn
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Carroll
authors.forename: Lionel
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Camus
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D055884:Chemical Hazard Release; D004777:Environment; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D048389:Gadus morhua / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D007814:Larva / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D008954:Models, Biological; D010578:Petroleum / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity*; D010933:Plankton / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D011157:Population Dynamics; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity*
chemical_list: D010578:Petroleum; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical